Dr. Deborah Birx meets with MN Health Officials and Tribal Leaders

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As August drew to a close, the White House’s coronavirus task force coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, visited Minnesota and met with both state and tribal officials.

At a news conference in St. Paul, Dr. Birx said she’s impressed with how Minnesota has responded to the pandemic using a data-driven approach, including the state’s comprehensive testing that has been implemented in long-term care facilities.

However, Birx says she’s concerned with the rate of positive cases the state is seeing in the Twin Cities and surrounding counties.

BIRX: “This state has gone from two, to five, to now nine counties over 10 percent. That trend is worrisome this late into this summer.”

To combat rising cases, Birx is urging Minnesotans to continue wearing masks and socially distance during the pandemic, even if many may be feeling “fatigue” to all the guidelines.

In her visit to Minnesota, Birx also stopped in Duluth and met with tribal officials of the Fond du Lac of Lake Superior Chippewa.

BIRX: “They were really terrific… I was impressed by their ability to support institutions for isolation within their community, really ensuring they have the resources to prevent outbreaks.”

Dr. Birx said Fond du Lac’s efforts -- and the efforts of tribes across the nation -- is a good thing to see, given that Native Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in the country. By percentage, native people suffer more deaths from the disease than all other minority g roups.

BIRX: “We know… across the country still, the No. 1 group that has the most fatalities are our native americans, so we need to focus resources to fit their needs,” Birx said.

According to recent state health data, the COVID-19 death rate among the indigenous in Minnesota is 151 deaths per 100,000 people. That’s compared to the rate of 23 deaths per 100,000 people among non-hispanic white people.

I’m Cole Premo.